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Sept, 9, 1947.

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Sept 9, 1947. c. J. w. cLAsEN 2,427,194

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Patented Sept. 9, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRUCK y Claus J. Werner Clasen. Chicago,` Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago. Ill., a corporation of New Jersey v Application November 3, 1943, Serial No. 508,186

` 34 Claims. (Cl. 10S-197) My invention relates to railway car trucks and more particularly to a quick wheel change truck incorporatingl a ride control device operable todampen oscillations of the bolster supporting spring group.

An object of my invention is to design a truck such as above described in which the bolster is formed at each end thereof as a two piece structure with a lower spring cap member seated upon the spring group and an upper member pivoted to the spring cap member at the transverse center line of the frame, said spring cap member comprising' interlocking means for cooperation with the side frame columns and housing friction devices for cooperation with said columns.

A different object of my invention is to provide novel interlocking means for the side frame and bolster in the form of a novel spring cap member having inboard and outboard guide lugs for cooperation with the columns and having pivot means for interlocking engagement with the bolster, said cap presenting at opposite sides thereof converging abutment surfaces for cooperation with the bolster to limit angular or out-of-square movement thereof with respect to the side frame.

My invention comprehends a bolster of novel form having at 'opposite sides thereof spaced abutment surfaces converging outboardly toward the longitudinal axis of the bolster, and said bolster comprising wing members at opposite sides thereof affording spring seats for resilient means actuating-associated friction devices.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of a railway car truck embodying my invention, the ends of the side frame being broken away, the right half or this ligure being in elehalf of this figure being a top plan view, with the bolster removed and the friction device shown in section along the horizontal plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the side frame taken in the transverse vertical plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1, the bolster structure and associated friction means being illustrated in elevation.

Describing my invention in detail, the side frame is of conventional form with the compresl 2` sion member 2, the tension mem-ber 4, and spaced columns 6, 6 forming therewith window openings .8. l and the central bolster opening Il. 'I'he compression member 2 is of box-section abovethe bolster opening, as best seen in Figure 3, and the tension member4 is likewise of box-section beneath the bolster opening, with the top chord I 2 thereof widened to form a, springlseat I4, upon which are supported a group of bolster supPOiting springs I8, II. As illustrated, a spring plate `Il is provided for the 4lower .end of the springs II, IB, and a spring plate 20 is provided for the upper ends thereof; however, it will be understood that if desired these plates may be eliminated. It maybe vnoted that the top chord I2 of the tension member is provided with upstanding lugs 2 I, 2| affording convenient positioning means for the springs plate I8 and the springs It, Il.

Supported on the spring group is a spring cap 22, said cap comprising a dat central web 24 comprising the upstanding hollow pivot lug 2l received within a complementary opening 2l in the bottom wall of the bolster 30, said bolster being seated as at 32 on the web 24. At each end thereof, the web 24 is provided with an upstanding end portion comprising a pocket `It for the reception of an' associated friction shoe 38, said shoe having at opposite sides thereof the wing portions 40, 40 in complementary wedge engagement with the spaced inboard and outboard ledges 42, 42 formed on the springcap 22 within the pocket 36. It will be understood that the upper surfaces of the ledges 42, 42 and the cooperating surfaces of the wing portions 4t, 40 slope downwardly toward the adjacent column 8, whereby the shoe '38 is urged into frictional engagement at 44 with a liner 4B secured to the column as by bolt and nut assemblies 4I, 48.

The s hoe 38 is a. skeletal member somewhat cup-shaped in form with the bottom wall 5l affording a seat as at l2 for the actuating spring 54, the upper end of said spring being seated as at 56 against the adjacent wing member 58 3 complementary abutment surfaces 66, 66 formed on the inboard sides of the end portions 3l, 3 4 of the spring cap.

It will be understood that during relative angular or out-of-square movement between the bolster and the sidev frame, the surfaces 64 and A66 are operable to. limit thisout-of-'square movement, the maximum angularity between the bolster and the spring cap being indicated at 68 (Figure 2), each end portion 34 of the spring cap comprising the spaced inboard and outboard guide lugs 1U, 10 for guiding cooperation with the adjacent column 6, whereby the cap and `side frame are interlocked.

As will be clearly seen from a consideration of Figures 1 and 3, the clearance between the top of the bolster and the compression member therea'bove is greater than the depth of the pivot lug 26 on the spring cap, whereby the bolster may be elevatedin the bolster opening and removed therefrom during 'a quick wheel change, while the spring `cap and the associated friction devices remain in normal assembled relationship with the side frame.

Thus it will be seen that I have designed a novel ride control truck comprising a side frame and a spring-supported two-piece bolster structure. comprising a spring cap member and a bolster membersupported thereon in pivotal interlocking engagement therewith, the spring cap member being interlocked -withfthe side 'frame tions to limitout-of-'square movement of the bolster with respect to the side frame.

2. In a railway car truck, a side frame having tension and compression members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolster opening, resilient means on said tension member in said opening, a spring cap on said resilient means having upstanding end portions adjacent respective columns, each of said portions having inboaic and outboard guide lugs cooperating with the adjacent column to interlock said `cap therewith, a pocket in each end portion comprising a wedge surface sloping towardv the adjacent column, a friction shoe within said pocket in complementary wedge engagement with said surface, a bolster seated on said cap intermediate said end portions and having wing members overlying respec- `tive thereof, said wing members being spaced from said columns, means interlocking the bolster .and the cap, and resilient means compressed between each shoe and the adjacent wing member, the clearance between said bolster and the compression member thereabove being greater than the depth of said interlocking means wherebysaid bolster may be elevated in said bolster opening and removed therefrom during a quick wheel change.

3. In a railway car truck, a side frame having tension and compression members and spaced Sil-columns defining Atherewith a bolster opening,

columns and housing friction devices for cooperation therewith, and relative.angularity between the blostermember and the spring cap member being limited by complementary abutment surfacesA thereon.

It will be understood that, if desired, the fric.l

tion shoes 38, 38 and -the' springs 54, 54 may be eliminated, thus affording a novel quick wheel change arrangement without a ride control feature under service conditions wherein it is desired to avoid maintenance costs of the friction devices.

It will be understood that I do Vnot wishto be limited bythe exact Aembodiments ol' vthe device shown which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention of the scope of the claims.

I claim: t

l. In a railway car truck, a side frame having tension and compression members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolster opening, resilient means on said'tension 'member in said opening, a spring cap on said resilient means having upstanding end portions adjacent respectiveY columns, each of said portions having inboard l and outboard guide lugs cooperating with the adjacent column to interlock said cap therewith, a pocket in each end portion comprising a wedge surface sloping toward the adjacent column, a friction shoe within said pocket in complementary wedge engagement -with said surface, a bolster seated on and pivot-ally interlocked with said .cap intermediate said end portions, said bolster resilient means on said tension member in said ster seated on said cap intermediate said end por- 1 tions, pivot means interlocking said bolster and said cap, and resilient means compressed between each shoe and an adjacent portion of the bolster extending thereabove, the clearance between the top of the bolster and the compression member thereabove being greater than the depth of said pivot means whereby said bolster may be elevated in said bolster opening and removed therefrom during a quick wheel change.

4. In a railway car truck, a side frame having tension and compression members and spaced co1- umns defining therewith a bolster-opening, a spring group on said tension member in said opening, a spring cap on said group, inboard and outboard guide lugs on each end of said cap in guiding engagement with the adjacent column, wedge surfaces on said cap sloping toward respective columns, friction shoes engaging respective sloping surfaces, a bolster seated on said cap intermediate the ends thereof, said bolster having wing members spaced from said columns, an upstanding lug on said cap received within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of said bolster, and resilient means compressed between each shoe and the adjacent wing member, the distance between the top of the bolster and the compression member thereabove being greater than the depth of said last-mentioned lug, whereby said bolster may be elevated in said .bolster opening and removed therefrom during spring group on said tension member in said opening. a spring cap on said group having upstanding end portions adjacent respective columns, each of said portions having inboard and outboard guide lugs in guiding engagement with the adjacent column, a pocket in each end portion with spaced inboard and outboard ledges therein presenting wedge surfaces sloping toward `the adjacent column, a. friction shoe in each pocket comprising spaced wing portions in complementary engagement with the associatedwedge surfaces, a bolster seated on and interlocked with said cap intermediate said ,end portions,l said bolster having wing members overlying respective end portions and spaced from said columns, and resilient means compressed between each shoe and the lower surface ofthe adjacent wing 4mem-- ber.

6. In a railway car truck, a side frame having tension and compression members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolster opening, re! silient means` on said tension member insaid opening, a spring cap on said resilient means u having upstanding end portions adjacent respecf" tive columns, each of said portions having inboard and outboard guide lugs cooperating with the adjacent column to interlock said cap therewith, a pocket in each end portion comprising a wedge surface sloping toward the adjacent column, a friction shoe within said pocket in complementary wedge engagement with said surface,

.a bolster seated on and pivotally interlocked with spring cap on said group having upstanding end portions adjacent respective columns, each of 5 said friction means and said wing members.

9. In a. railway car truck, a side frame having tension andcompression members and spaced columns defining therewith a ,bolster opening, a spring group on said tension member in Vsaid opening, and a multipart bolster structure comprising a lower spring cap member seated on said group and interlocked with respective columns, and an upper member seated on said lower member and pivotally interlocked therewith, said upper member being spaced from said columns, and said upper member having spaced abutment surfaces at opposite sides 'thereof converging outr boardly and cooperating with complementary surfaces on the lower member to limit relative angularity between the bolster and the side frame, and friction means housed in each end of said lower member and cooperating with a friction surface carried by the adjacent column to dampen vertical oscillations of the bolster structure, said frictionv surfaces extending transversely of said frame.` .Y

10. In a railway car truck, a side frame having tension and compression members and spaced columns defining' therewith a. bolster opening, a

ing, a 'spring cap on said group, inboard and outboard guide lugs on each end of said cap in guiding engagement with the adjacentl column,l wedge surfaces on said cap sloping toward respective columns, friction shoes engaging respective sloping surfaces, a bolster seated on said cap intermediate the ends thereof, said bolster having wing members disposed exteriorly of and spaced from said columns, an upstanding lug on `said cap received within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of said bolster, and resilient means compressed between each shoe and the adjacent wing member.

11, In a railway car truck, a side frame having said portions having inboard and outboard guide tension. and compression members and spaced lugs cooperating with the adjacent column to interlock said cap therewith, a bolster seated on said cap intermediate said end portions, and an upstanding lug on said cap received within a columns defining therewith a bolster opening, a spring group fon said frame in said opening, a spring cap onsaid group having upstanding end portions adjacent respective columns, each of said complementary Openinginthe bottom wall of portions having inboard and outboard guide lugs said bolster and pivotally interconnecting said cap and bolster, each of said end portions supporting friction elements in complementary engagement with friction surfaces on said columns,

cooperating with the` adjacent column to interlock said cap.therewith,'a bolster seated on said cap intermediate said end portions, and an upstanding llug on said cap received within a com said surfaces extending transversely of said plementary opening in the bottom wall of said frame, said bolster being at all times spaced from said columns, the distancebetween the top of the bolster and the compression member thereabove being greater than the depth of said lastbolster and pivotally interconnecting said cap and bolster, said bolster being at all times spaced under normal operating conditions from said columns, friction means carried by said end portions mentioned 111g, whereby said bolster may be ele- 00 and having engagement with friction surfaces on vated in said bolster opening and removedtherefrom during a quick wheel change.

8. In a railway car truck, a side frame having Y tension and compression members and spaced `columns defining'therewith a bolster opening, a spring group on said frame in said opening, a spring cap on said group having upstanding end portions adjacent 'respective columns, each of said end portions having inboard and outboard '05 columns defining therewith a. bolster opening, a

`spring group on said tension element in said opening, and a two-piece bolster structure comprising a lower spring cap member seated on said 4group and interlocked with respective columns,

guide means receiving therebetween and cooperatand an uppermember seated on said lower meming with the adjacent column and interlockingsaid spring cap therewith, a pocket in each end p0rtion comprising wedge means, friction means in complementary wedge engagement with said ber and pivotally interlocked centrally thereof with said lower member, said upper member being spaced at all times from said columns, and said upper member having spaced abutment surfaces wedge means, a bolster seated on and interlocked T6 at opposite sides thereof converging outboardly spring group on said tension member in said openand cooperating with complementary surfaces on the lower member to limit relative angularity between the bolster and the side frame, friction means supported by the opposite ends of said members in frictional engagement with friction surfaces on respective columns extending transversely of said frame.

13. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns and an intervening bolster opening, resilient means on said frame in said opening, a spring cap on said resilient means,

said cap having wedge means at opposite ends thereof, friction shoes engaging respective wedge means and respective columns, a bolster seated on said cap centrally thereof and having wing members overlying said shoes, and resilient means compressed between said members and respective shoes for urging said shoes in opposite directions longitudinally of said frame into engagement with respective columns, said shoes and said last-mentioned resilient means being housed in said spring cap.

14. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns and an intervening bolster opening, resilient means on said frame in said opening, a spring cap on said resilient means, said cap having wedge means at opposite ends thereof, friction shoes engaging respective wedge means and respective columns, a bolster seated on said cap centrally thereof and having wing members overlying said shoes, and resilient means compressed between said members and respective shoes for urging said shoes in opposite directions longitudinally of said ,frame into engagement with respective columns.

15. In a spring cap for a railway car truck, a member having a fiat central portion with pivot means centrally thereof, and upstanding end portions comprising pockets for associated friction shoes, each of said end portions comprising wedge surfaces in the associated pocket sloping downwardly and away from said pivot means, and inboard and outboard guide lugs on each end portion for interlocking cooperation with an associated side frame column. r

16. In a spring cap for arailway car truck, a member having a flat central portion with pivot means centrally thereof, and upstanding end portions comprising pockets ,forassociated friction shoes, each of said end portions comprising wedge surfaces in the associated pocket sloping downwardly and away from said pivot means.

17. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns, resilient means on said frame between said columns, a spring cap member supported by said resilient means,A andv a bolster member supported on said last-mentioned member, said cap member having pockets in opposite ends thereof housing friction means for engagement with respective columns, each of said friction means including a friction element, and a vertically disposed coil spring bearing against said element and one of said members for urging said element into wedge engagement with the other member and into frictional engagement with a friction surface on the adjacent column 70 said columns.

l ate said end portions, said bolster having wing members overlying respective end portions and` spaced'from said columns, and resilient means compressed between said wing members and respective shoes for urging said shoes in oDpOsite directions longitudinally of said frame into engagement with respective columns.

20. In a railway car truck, a side frame having tension and compression members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolster opening, a spring group on said tension member in said opening, a spring cap on said group, inboard and outboard guide lugs on each end of4 said cap in guiding engagement withthe adjacent column, wedge surfaces on said cap sloping toward respective columns, friction shoes engaging respective sloping surfaces, a bolster seated on said cap intermediate the ends thereof, said bolster having wing members spacedfrom said columns, and resilient means compressed between said members 80 and respective shoes, said shoes and said resilient means being housed in said spring cap exteriorly of said columns.

21. In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns, a vertically movable multipart $5 load-carrying structure spring-supported from said frame and comprising upper and -lower members, one of said members extending between said columns and comprising spaced guides at opposite sides thereof and embracing the adjacent column therebetween forinterlocking cooperation therewith, the other of said members extending transversely of said frame and between said columns at one end in spaced relation thereto and seating atop said one member, readily disengageable interlocking means on said members affording a pivotal connection therebetween. friction means supported by said one member and -comprising a friction element in frictional engagement with a friction surface extending transversely of said frame and supported by one of said columns and in slidable engagement with diagonal surfaces supported by the associated member and extending longitudinally of said frame, and resilient means compressed between said element and the other of said members for l urging said element into said engagement.

22.- In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns partially defining a bolster opening, a spring group on said frame in said opening,

00. a spring cap on said group interlocked with respective columns, Wedge surfaces on said cap sloping toward respective columns, friction shoes engaging respective sloping surfaces, a bolster seated Ion said cap intermediate the ends thereof,

55 said bolster having wing members spaced from said columns, and resilient means compressed between each shoe and the adjacent wing member and operative to urge said shoes longitudinally of said frame into frictional engagement with 23. In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns partially dening a bolster opening, resilient means on said frame in said opening,

a spring cap seated on said resilient means, wedge tension and compression members and spaced surfaces on said cap sloping toward friction surfaces carried by respective columns, said friction surfaces extending transversely of said frame.- friction means housed within opposite ends of said cap and engaging respective sloping and frictionV surfaces, a bolster seated on and interlocked with said cap intermediate opposite ends thereofjsaid bolster having wing members overlying said friction meansand spaced from said columns, and resilient 'means compressed between said friction means and said wing members.

` 24. In a railway car truck, a side frame having Vspaced'columns vpartially defininga bolster opening, springmeans on said frame in saidOpening, a spring cap seated on said spring means, fric. tion: means housedwithin `opposite ends of said cap including friction shoes and resilient means urging thesameinto diagonal f-ace engagement Mwithsaiddcap `and into frictional engagement with 'friction surfaces supportedby respective columns, saidfriction surfaces extending transversely "ofsa'idl frame, a bolster seated on said capand connected thereto, said bolster having a spring cap seated on said resilient means,` a Vbolster seated on said cap, friction elements housed in opposite ends of said spring cap and cooperating with the adjacent column, and vertically disposed coil springs compressed between said friction elements and said bolster for urging said elements longitudinally Vof said frame into frictional engagement with respective columns and into wedge engagement with diagonal surfaces on said cap diverging toward respective columns.

26. In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns partially defining a bolster opening, resilient means on said frame in said opening, a spring cap seated on said resilient means, friction elements housed within opposite ends of said cap and in frictional engagement with friction surfaces supported by respective columns, said surfaces extending transversely of said frame, a bolster seated on said cap and pivotally interlocked therewith, and resilient means compressed between said friction-elements and said bolster, said bolster being at all times spaced under normal operative conditions from said columns.

27. In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns partially defining a. bolster opening, a friction surface on each column, friction elements engaged therewith, a bolster in said opening and resiliently supported from `said frame, a member interlocked with said bolster, and friction means carried by said member for actuating said elements during relative movement between said bolster and said frame,said means comprising wedge surfaces at opposite ends of said member converging toward the longitudinal center line of said bolster and in complementary wedge engagement with said elements, and resilient means compressed between said friction elements and said bolster.

28. In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns partially defining a bolster opening, a friction surface on each column, said surfaces extending transversely of said frame, friction elements engaged therewith, a bolster in said a member interlocked with said bolster, friction means carried by said member for actuating said elements during relative movementbetween said bolster and said frame, said means` comprising wedge surfaces at opposite ends of said rmember converging toward the longitudinal center line of said bolster and in complementary wedge engagement with said elements, and resilient means compressed between said friction elements and said bolster.

29. In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns partially defining a bolster opening, aV friction surface on each column, friction elements engaged therewith, fa bolster insaid opening andA ,resiliently supported .from said frame, a member interlocked with said bolster; friction means carried by` said member for actuating said elements during relative movement between said bolster and said frame, said means comprising wedge surfaces at opposite ends of said member converging toward the longitudinal center line of said bolster and in complementary wedge engagement with said elements, wing members on said bolster overlying said friction means and spaced from said columns, and resilient means compressed between said friction elements and said wing members.

30. In `a railwaycar truck, a side frame having.

spacedcolumns partially defining a bolster opening, a friction surface on each column, said surfaces extending transverely of said frame, fric- .tion elements engaged therewith, a bolster in said opening and resiliently supported from said frame, a member interlocked with said bolster, friction means carried by said member for actuating said elements during relative movement between said bolster and said frame, said means comprising wedge surfaces at opposite ends of said member converging toward the longitudinal center line of said bolster and in complementary wedge engagement with said elements, wing members on said bolster overlying said friction means and spaced from said columns, and resilient means compressed between said friction elements and said wing members.

31. In a railway cartruck, a side frame having spaced columns partially defining an opening, resilient means supported from said frame in said opening, a spring cap seated on said resilient means and having end portions adjacent respec- .tive4 columns, a pocket in each end portion comprising spaced wedge surfaces sloping toward the adjacent column, a bolster seated on said cap in interlocking engagement therewith, a friction shoe in each pocket comprising spaced wing portions in complementary engagement with the associated wedge surfaces, and resilient means in each pocket extendingbetween the wing portions of said shoe and said wedge surfaces and com-- pressed between the shoe and said bolster.

32; In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns partially defining a bolster opening, a two-piece bolster structure resiliently supported from said frame in said opening, friction means disposed between the upper and lower portions of said bolster, said friction means comprising a wedge surface supported by one of said portions at each end thereof, said surfaces converging towardthe longitudinal center line of said bolster structure, friction means in complementary engagement with said wedge surfaces and in frictional engagement with friction surfaces carried by said columns, said friction surfaces extending transversely of said frame, and resilient opening and resiliently supported from said frame, means compressed between the other of said por- 11 tions and said elements for urging said elements into said engagements.

33. In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns, a vertically movable multipart load-carrying. structure resiliently supported from said frame between said columns and comprising upper and lower members, one of-said members being in interlocking engagement with said columns and being seated against the other of said members extending transversely of said side frame, a pivotal connection between said members, in terengagins means on said members for limiting pivotal movement therebetween, friction means disposed between said members, said friction means comprising spaced wedge surfaces supported on said one member at each end thereo f and sloping toward the adjacent column, friction elements in complementary engagement with respective spaced surfaces, and resilient means compressed between .the other of said membersv and said elements for urging said elements 'into irlctional engagement with frictional surfaces carried by said columns, said friction surfaces extending transversely of said frame.

34. In a railway car truck, a side frame having spaced columns, a vertically movable multipart load-carrying structure extending transversely of said frame and resiliently supported from said frame between said columns and comprising upper and lower members pivotally interlocked onI a substantially vertical axis, friction means` disposedV between the upper andilower members of said structure at each end thereof. said friction 12 means comprising a wedge surface supported by one of said members at each end thereof. said surfaces converging toward the longitudinal center line of said structure, friction elements in complementary engagement with respective surfaces.

` resilient means compressed between said elements and the other ofsaid members for urging said elements longitudinally oithe frame and into frictional engagement with respective columns, and means on said one member for interlocking the same -with said columns whereby said one member and said friction elements are maintained -in substantially squared relationship with said columns irrespective of any pivotal move- 15 ment of said other member.

CLAUS J. WERNER REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

